Incorporating Decodable Books into an Early Grades Literacy Curriculum: Tensions and New Learnings from One Teacher

Abstract

In this article, one teacher shares her journey using decodable books with her culturally and linguistically diverse students, documenting new understandings and tensions that she has encountered. Four literacy teacher educators augment the teacher's story by connecting it with the current literature on literacy and decodable books. After reading this article, readers will walk away with a stronger understanding of how and when to use decodable books with beginning readers, as well as concrete ideas and resources to support incorporating decodable books into the early grades literacy curriculum.